Background and organizational context

The United Nations Global Disability Fund (GDF)is a multi-partner trust fund dedicated to advancing disability-inclusive development globally. It supports the implementation of the CRPD and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by providing technical assistance, policy guidance, and financial support to governments, UN agencies, civil society, and businesses.  The GDF is hosted within the UNDP Governance team in the Bureau of Policy and Programme Support (BPPS). The GDF Secretariat operates in accordance with its own Strategic Plan and agreed annual work plan approved by its Steering Committee.

GDF funds and coordinates collective action to deliver country-led programmes fostering inclusive and resilient communities. The Fund operates through a Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) established to channel resources for participating UN organizations. Other GDF partners include the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC), each with a permanent seat in the governing bodies.

The Technical Secretariat of the Global Disability Fund (GDF) is based in the UNDP Governance team in the Bureau of Policy and Programme Support. The Secretariat operates in accordance with the GDF Operational Framework 2025–2030 and agreed annual work plan developed following strategic direction from the Policy Board and upon approval by the Management Committee (MC).

The main functions of the GDF Technical Secretariat include:

• Ensure strong and efficient coordination of partners, including liaison with global focal points within the GDF various constituencies.
• Develop and implement a resource mobilization strategy.
• Manage GDF external relations and external communications and outreach strategy.
• Develop and submit an annual work plan for MC approval and allocation of funds.
• Update GDF members on delivery of annual work plans.
• Coordinate relevant review and decision-making processes for the selection of GDF-supported initiatives and allocation of GDF funding.
• Monitor and oversee joint programmes to identify and support capacity building needs, distil learning, develop knowledge management tools and systems, and facilitate the development of these tools and systems in accordance with the Strategic Operational Framework.
• Provide technical support to UN Country Teams for country programmes.
• Develop internal management processes to ensure efficient operational delivery.

Position Purpose

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the GDF Director, the Communications and Outreach Specialist implements the corporate communications strategy, designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of the GDF communications and publication strategies with a view to influence the development agenda, promote public and media outreach and mobilize political and financial support for the GDF. 

The Communications and Outreach Specialist supervises and leads the communications providers and vendors and has a strong regular working relationship with the Programme Coordinators. The Communications and Outreach Specialist works in close collaboration with the Fundraising and Advocacy Specialist, other UN participating organizations, donors, organizations of persons with disabilities, government officials, international and local media and experts in disability inclusion to ensure successful implementation of GDF’s communication strategy. 

GDF adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, GDF personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

1.)  Lead and advise on strategic external communications and resource mobilization efforts in close collaboration with the Director of the GDF Secretariat.

• Plan and elaborate communication needs assessments for the GDF Technical Secretariat.
• Design, implement, and oversee integrated communication and outreach strategies that align with GDF’s global objectives and ensure high visibility and stakeholder engagement.
• Work closely with focal points to ensure communication strategies support achievement of targets and are inclusive to persons with disabilities. 
• Develop a yearly communications action plan in line with the overarching strategy.
• Manage and strengthen the public image and strategic positioning of the GDF across global platforms and with OPDs, Donors, Governments and other key stakeholders.

2.)   Elaborate and implement the GDF publications strategy and plan based on the corporate publications policy. 

• Identify and develop storylines for publications and substantive articles that contribute to and generate conversations on key issues. 
• Lead the planning, production, and global dissemination of high-impact communication and branding materials that are accessible to persons with disabilities (e.g. press releases, human-interest stories, blogposts, newsletters, multimedia assets), ensuring alignment with GDF’s advocacy and donor engagement strategies.
• Coordinate and manage the layout, graphic design, infographics, and data visualization elements of the GDF Annual Report and other publications, ensuring coherent and visually impactful publications that aligns with GDF branding and accessibility standards.
• Provide strategic advice and technical guidance on resourceful and accessible communications to the Fund’s implementing partners at country level, ensuring consistent and effective outreach.

3.) Lead GDF digital communications globally for wider reach through social media, web site and web-based knowledge management system.

• Establish and monitor KPIs for communication efforts, analyze performance data, and implement data-driven improvements to maximize the impact and reach of GDF's visibility and advocacy initiatives.
• Oversee the management, strategic development, performance and content governance of the GDF website and social media profiles, ensuring accessibility, usability, relevance, and alignment with communications priorities.
• Regularly supervise, optimize and update the content and technical performance of different digital platforms including website, blog, newsletter, e-learning and social media to ensure consistency of materials and accessibility. 

4.) Lead GDF campaigns and events to engage donors and other key stakeholders (i.e., government, philanthropies and OPDs) and increase awareness of GDF’s mandate and goals.

• Manage and promote advocacy activities and disseminate corporate advocacy materials to publicize GDF mandate/mission, flagship initiatives, and key publications to position GDF as the global leader in supporting countries to accelerate the implementation of the CRPD and disability-inclusive SDGs. 
• Support the planning, promotion, organization and coverage of high-level events to highlight and promote the work of GDF at the global level.
• Create, promote, and maintain public information campaigns on issues including GDF activities, Sustainable Development Goals, to increase the visibility of GDF’s work, mobilize resources, and influence support from stakeholders in achievement of GDF goals.
• Develop and maintain close contacts with government officials, donors, organizations of persons with disabilities, and private sector.

5)          Lead the effort of country office’s knowledge management and dissemination.

• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme countrygoals and activities.
• Provide substantive and sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities ofpractice including corporate communications repositories.
• Organize and provide training, consultancy, and advice to UNDP staff on internal and externalknowledge management.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

• The Communications and Outreach Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Director of the Global Disability Fund Secretariat and will work in close collaboration with the rest of the GDF team. The position will manage and supervise the recruitment, performance, and outputs of external communications consultants and vendors, ensuring quality assurance, value for money, and contractual compliance.
• The standard workweek is 35 hours, based on a 7-hour working day. The Communications and Outreach Officer is expected to work 60% of that time (21 hours per week). 
• Regardless of the officer’s location, working hours must fall between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) to align with the team’s operational schedule, which follows New York office hours.

Expected demonstration of competencies

People Management 

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Requirements

Min. Academic Education  

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equiavalent )  in a recognized university in Communications, Journalism, or a related field is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above,  in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 
• Other postgraduate courses, diplomas or advanced training in the field of communications will be considered an asset.

Min. years of relevant Work experience  

• Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) relevant experience in designing, implementing, managing and monitoring communication and outreach strategies in multicultural environments.

Required skills and competencies             

• Proven professional experience in organizing high-level events and producing communication materials that are fully accessible to persons with diverse disabilities (visual, hearing, cognitive, motor, etc.), ensuring equal access, understanding, and engagement.
• Proven experience managing budgets and performance of consultants and/or vendors.
• Proven experience engaging with organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) at global, national, and local levels.

Desired Criteria         

• Demonstrated capacity to operate in diverse, multi-stakeholder environments providing communications advice to programme coordinators. 
• Expertise in audience segmentation, message tailoring, and strategic framing to effectively engage targeted stakeholder groups.
• Proficiency in IT software (Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace). 
• Strong content production and curation experience to produce accessible communication assets across formats: audiovisual production, social media posts, infographics, press releases, blogs, newsletters, fact sheets, human-interest stories, leaflets, banners. 
• Expertise in graphic design, including use of Adobe Creative Suite.
• Expertise in website management and optimization, particularly Wordpress and Moodle (including SEO, UX, content updates, and e-learning management).
• Expertise in photo production and editing.
• Experience in donors research and analysis of investment and funding trends.
• Experience in resource mobilization

Language Requerimients     

• Fluency in English is required. 
• Working knowledge of additional UN official languages will be considered an asset.

Travel: 

• This position is home-based; therefore, no travel costs to a designated duty station will be incurred. However, the individual may be required to undertake official travel in connection with the execution of their duties (e.g. events support and coverage). In such cases, travel expenses will be covered by UNDP in accordance with its applicable policies and procedures.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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